Budget panel approves concealed carry with permits, training required
By
Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel
Updated: June 9, 2011 3:44 p.m. |
(86) Comments
Madison - Republicans in the Legislature are rallying around a bill that would allow people to get permits to carry concealed weapons if they went through training, after a proposal that would have allowed them to carry hidden guns without permits stirred controversy.
The Joint Finance Committee approved a new version of the bill that would require people to get training and apply to the state for permits. It passed 12-4, with all Republicans voting for it and all Democrats voting against it.
Law enforcement would have to issue permits to any state residents who are 21 or over, get training and clear a background check that shows they were not a felon or otherwise prohibited from carrying a gun.
The committee's vote is a sign lawmakers will change the state's concealed weapons law soon, but it is also a setback for those who sought a more dramatic rollback of the state's gun laws. They had pushed for allowing Wisconsin to join the ranks of four other states that allow "constitutional carry" - giving people the ability to carry hidden guns under the Second Amendment without having to get permits or training.
Wisconsin and Illinois are the only two states have outright bans on carrying concealed weapons, and gun rights advocates have long tried to overturn Wisconsin's ban.
Permits would cost a maximum of $50 and be good for five years. To get one, people would have to offer proof they have passed a course on firearms training, firearms safety or hunter safety.
Whenever they carried concealed weapons, they would have to have their permit and photo ID with them. If they did not, they could be fined $25, though the fee would be waived if they presented their permit and ID within 48 hours.
The database that includes permit holders would not be public record.
People with permits from other states could carry concealed weapons in Wisconsin as long as their home state also required training and background checks.
Guns would be banned from law enforcement offices, prisons, jails, courthouses, secure mental health facilities, schools, and the areas of airports past security checkpoints. Private businesses could post signs banning guns; similar postings could be put up in city halls, the Capitol and other public buildings.
Guns would be allowed in all city and state parks, an issue that raised concerns among some opponents of the bill.
Permit holders could carry guns in taverns and other places that sell alcohol, provided they were not drinking.
Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) said she saw a loophole in the bill because people would be able to drink in some parks while carrying guns.
Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a "constitutional carry" bill on a 3-2, party-line vote. But shortly thereafter, Republican Gov. Scott Walker said he wanted the bill to require permits and training.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn and Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm have sought changes to the bill to stiffen penalties for those who illegally carry guns or buy guns for felons.
The bill the committee passed does not address those issues.
Democrats for years have halted efforts to repeal Wisconsin's concealed weapons ban, but Republicans now control the Legislature and governor's office.
Lawmakers passed bills to allow concealed weapons in 2003 and 2005, but then-Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed them. From then until recently, Democrats were able to block such bills because they controlled at least one house of the Legislature.
Republicans said the measure was essential to allow people to protect themselves, while Democrats said it would make city streets more dangerous.
Those who got permits would also be able to carry Tasers and other electric weapons, which are banned under current law.
Wisconsin Open Carry Movement
